Bamboo Citadel Katana

The Citadel Bamboo Katana represents the pinnacle of modern sword artistry—a hand forged katana created using traditional methods by Citadel’s master smiths in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Known for producing one-of-a-kind, fully handmade swords and knives, Citadel’s artisans craft each piece from start to finish entirely by hand. This exclusive edition, limited to just 100 swords worldwide, is individually signed and numbered on the nakago (tang) by the smith and accompanied by a matching certificate of authenticity. Each sword is unique, reflecting the maker’s skill, spirit, and dedication to the samurai tradition.

Traditional Design, Modern Perfection

This rendition of the classic bamboo-themed katana is light, fast, and perfectly balanced. The blade is hand forged from imported European DNH7 high carbon steel and differentially hardened using the traditional clay-tempering process to create a hard cutting edge and resilient spine. A bo-hi (fuller) is expertly carved along the blade to reduce weight while maintaining strength and responsiveness. The tsuba (guard) is hand-cut and engraved from pure iron, featuring a meticulous nanako or stippled pattern created entirely by hand—a time-consuming detail that few modern craftsmen attempt. The tsuba also includes seki-gane (copper inserts), allowing for a perfectly fitted blade-to-guard connection that can be finely adjusted over time—an attention to detail found only in true handmade Japanese swords.

A Collector’s Sword of Rare Quality

Both the tsuka (handle) and saya (scabbard) are hand-carved to fit each individual blade precisely. The tsuka is wrapped in genuine imported Japanese silk over a full same-gawa (ray skin) wrap on a solid wooden core, providing exceptional grip and elegance. The saya is lacquered to a refined semi-gloss black and reinforced with ray skin near the mouth for added strength. In hand, this sword feels alive—light, responsive, and perfectly balanced—becoming a seamless extension of the wielder’s arm. Limited in number, beautifully executed, and fully functional, the Citadel Bamboo Katana stands among the most collectible hand-forged blades available today.